AP and DDE

[iankh]

I need a clarification on AP and DDE. I know that when you order AP, you receive a voucher, and the 1 year clock doesn't start ticking until you redeem the voucher for a pass. Does DDE work the same way? When does the "clock" start ticking for DDE? I am trying to figure out how I time purchasing both.

 

[Terry S]

The clock starts ticking on the AP when you turn in the voucher for an actual ticket. The clock starts ticking on the DDE card the day you order. They usually expire 1 year from the last day of the month that you order them. You can order it closer to your trip and they will fax or e-mail you a letter stating that you have the card because the cards are taking 6-8 weeks to come.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We let our APs expire in January, since we have no trips planned until next January (actually 12/31). We are planning to get discounted APs from DVC, but definitely want to do the DDE card as well. My question is: Can we order the DDE card with just an AP voucher?

 

[athenna]

We let our APs expire in January, since we have no trips planned until next January (actually 12/31). We are planning to get discounted APs from DVC, but definitely want to do the DDE card as well. My question is: Can we order the DDE card with just an AP voucher?

Yes, you can, I did it. I ordered my DDE a few weeks ago, becaue I knew it was take a while to get here. I have only AP vouchers because I haven't been on my trip yet to activate them. They just ask for the #'s on the back of the voucher.
HTH!

 

[dianeschlicht]

That's good to know! I'm going to wait a bit to order both the APs and the DDE card, since it is so long until the next trip, and we will be going several times next year. I want to make sure the DDE card is available for the whole year!

 

[athenna]

That's good to know! I'm going to wait a bit to order both the APs and the DDE card, since it is so long until the next trip, and we will be going several times next year. I want to make sure the DDE card is available for the whole year!

Yeah, wait as long as you can to get the most out of it!!!
I ordered my AP's 4 month before my actual trip, just cause I got excited and wanted the vouchers in my hand
And I ordered the DDE exactly 8 weeks before my trip, since I knew they were taking awhile to arrive.
I'll still be able to get at least 2 trips out of both.

 

[DVCLady]

Delete

 

[JakelBread]

Some one please tell me what is a DDE?
Thanks

 

[Beca]

Is the DDE good to use for character meals?

I asked the reservationist that question when I was making a ressie for CRT, and she said, "No, I don't think so...but, let me look." She came back to the phone, and said, "I can't believe it, but...yes...CRT is included." Woohoo!!!!

DDE is the "Disney Dining Experience" card. Formerly, it was available only to FL residents, but they have extended the program to AP holders as well. It is good for 20% off of dining at most sit-down, and some counter service places. It is either good for 6 or 10 people (I have seen both numbers posted). allearsnet.com has a lot of info on it.



Beca

 

[LeftCoaster]

Is the DDE good to use for character meals?

Yup. All the character meals are included.

 

[CarolMN]

Here's a link to more info on the DDE - including a list of all the restaurants included:

Disney Dining Experience

Best wishes -

 

[IndianaDVCMember]

I ordered mine in January, and I just received them. The expiration date on them is April of 2006.

 

[megrod74]

How long is the emailed letter good for? If I order DDE 8 weeks before my trip and it doesn't get to me in time, will my letter have expired?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Here are the restaurants included at this time.
Participating Restaurants and Lounges in the DDE as of January 2005:

All-Star Movies Resort
World Premiere Food Court

All-Star Music Resort
Intermission Food Court

All-Star Sports Resort
End Zone Food Court

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma-Flavors of Africa
Jiko-The Cooking Place
Victoria Falls

Beach Club Resort
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
(excludes take out shop)
Cape May Cafe
Martha’s Vineyard Lounge
Rip Tide Lounge

BoardWalk
Bellevue Lounge
ESPN Club
Flying Fish Cafe
Spoodles

Bonnet Creek Golf Club
Sand Trap Bar & Grill

Caribbean Beach Resort
Shutters at Old Port Royale

Contemporary Resort
California Grill
Chef Mickey’s Restaurant
Concourse Steakhouse
Outer Rim Lounge

Coronado Springs Resort
Maya Grill

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue - (9:30 p.m. Show Only)
Trail’s End Restaurant

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
1900 Park Fare
Cítricos
Garden View Lounge
Grand Floridian Cafe
Mizner’s Lounge
Narcoossee's
Victoria & Albert's (excluding Chef's Table)

Old Key West Resort
Olivia's Cafe

Polynesian Resort
'Ohana
Kona Cafe
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
(Late Show Only)
Tambu Lounge

Pop Century Resort
Everything Pop Shopping and Dining
Classic Concoctions

Port Orleans Resort
Riverside:
Boatwright's Dining Hall
River Roost
French Quarter:
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food
Factory
Scat Cat's Club

Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Artist's Palette
The Turf Club

Wilderness Lodge
Artist Point
Territory Lounge
Whispering Canyon Cafe

Yacht Club Resort
Ale and Compass Lounge
Crews Cup Lounge
Yacht Club Galley
Yachtsman Steakhouse

DOWNTOWN DISNEY Marketplace
Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant

DOWNTOWN DISNEY West Side
Wolfgang Puck Café
Planet Hollywood

Epcot
Biergarten Restaurant
Bistro de Paris Restaurant
Chefs de France Restaurant
Coral Reef Restaurant
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Restaurant Akershus
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
San Angel Inn Restaurante
The Garden Grill Restaurant

Disney-MGM Studios
50's Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood & Vine
Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Tune-In Lounge

Magic Kingdom
Cinderella's Royal Table
Liberty Tree Tavern
The Crystal Palace
The Plaza Restaurant
Tony's Town Square Restaurant

Animal Kingdom
Tusker House Restaurant
Pizzafari
Flame Tree Barbecue
Restaurantosaurus

Disney’s Wide World of Sports
Official All-Star Cafe


Entertainment & Dancing:

DOWNTOWN DISNEY Pleasure Island:
Half price admission to Pleasure Island Clubs for members and guest

Atlantic Dance Hall - Disney’s BoardWalk:
Admission is free for members and guest

 

[lllovell]

My first letter was good from Jan 4th when I ordered until Feb 28th. Truthfully, if you have 2 months, you will get your card in plenty of time.

Those of us that didn't get them for a while ordered them when the system was first changed to allow AP holders to get the discount. I think they got overloaded!

Either way, if you think your email is not going to be good, you can do what I did and call them back for another one (after calling back for our trip this weekend since I had not received our cards, they emailed me a new letter and then my cards showed up within 10 days where she put in a 2nd request for them for me, so under normal conditions, the process seems fairly quick)

 

[megrod74]

Thanks, lllovell!

 

[DebbieB]

How long is the emailed letter good for? If I order DDE 8 weeks before my trip and it doesn't get to me in time, will my letter have expired?

I ordered on 1/24, my letter was good until 3/31. I just got the cards last Monday. I used the letter on my trip 2 weeks ago without a problem. One tip - make a couple extra copies of the letter. I left my original one in the bill folder at Boma (they put it in there with the final check after getting manager approval).

 

[iankh]

What is the timing for the AP and DDE. If the clock doesn't start for the AP until I turn in the voucher, then, I can buy it at any time before my trip in August and not burn into the 12 months on the AP. That will start when I redeem the voucher.

My primary interest in the DDE is for the birthday party I'm throwing myself. I figured out that popping for dinner, cocktails and wine for 10 people at Jikko's I stand to save a lot of money.

But if the DDE starts to burn away immediately, so how far in advance should one order it before a trip? Does it take days, weeks, months to arrive? About how long before my departure date do people recommend ordering it? I don't want it to sit in a drawer with the clock ticking, knowing that I won't be using it for a few months.

 

[athenna]

What is the timing for the AP and DDE. If the clock doesn't start for the AP until I turn in the voucher, then, I can buy it at any time before my trip in August and not burn into the 12 months on the AP. That will start when I redeem the voucher.

My primary interest in the DDE is for the birthday party I'm throwing myself. I figured out that popping for dinner, cocktails and wine for 10 people at Jikko's I stand to save a lot of money.

But if the DDE starts to burn away immediately, so how far in advance should one order it before a trip? Does it take days, weeks, months to arrive? About how long before my departure date do people recommend ordering it? I don't want it to sit in a drawer with the clock ticking, knowing that I won't be using it for a few months.

The DDE is taking anywhere from 4-8 weeks. In checking this forum and the restaurant forum, it's closer to 6-8 weeks. I ordered mine exactly at the 8 week mark just to be on the safe side.

Hope this helps

 

[megrod74]

One tip - make a couple extra copies of the letter. I left my original one in the bill folder at Boma (they put it in there with the final check after getting manager approval).

Great idea - thank you!